Dear Other Self (2017) movie review

WHAT IF...

All of us share the same thought. What if we something happened in your past that changed your life forever? What if you made a different choice and it changed your future? What if you had a different life than what you have now? This is the central theme that this latest Star Cinema offering tackles. The movie strangely follows two story lines, each concerning the consequences and results caused by one small thing that changed a person's life forever.
Becky (Jodi Sta. Maria) has always been torn between living a life of responsibility for her family and living a life of adventure by traveling the world. Little did she know that her life could follow two different paths depending on her responses to a day filled with a series of unfortunate events. In this story showing parallel narratives of the same character, we explore how our varying responses lead to different experiences, relationships, dilemmas and what ifs. Directed by Veronica Velasco, "Dear Other Self" also stars Xian Lim and Joseph Marco.

To be honest, I still can't figure out what Dear Other Self is. It's can be a comedy, since it's got some really funny situations that are mostly based on real-life things that happen to people. It's got some romance in it (actually, there's two) so it can also be a romantic movie. But I guess it perfectly fits under the 'feel good' type of movies. Those movies that aims at lifting up one's spirits and gets some sense into one's life. This movie is basically a movie made by a millennial, for her fellow millennials.
The movie brings up real-life situations that almost each and every young adult nowadays are facing. One of these would be whether Becky would continue her work to get promoted or to give up her career and follow her dream of travelling. I, for one, can personally relate to this as I have experienced this so many times in my life. Contemplating on whether I should continue my job now and switch careers is one of the most common challenges that millennials like me are facing. I'm really glad that the film tackled what would be the possible consequences of picking one decision over the other. And director Veronica Velasco was able to tell story lines seamlessly.

I think the strength of the film relied so much with it's great cast. Joseph Marco and Xian Lim are both great as the protagonist's leading man. They were really good in portraying their roles and they complemented their on-screen partner really well. But the film's way of storytelling wasn't able to give both of their characters enough time to build up their character.Since the film follows two stories at the same time, they were given minimal time to  build-up their characters. On the other hand, Jodi Sta. Maria's Becky is given all the time she needs to create a believable character and protagonist. Therefore, we end up rooting a lot for her and what happens to her in the two stories.

I think a lot of people will relate to her character as the two Becky's. The "fresh" Becky who got promoted is like the rest of those people who are too tied up to their careers and end up being left out in all the fun that they could have. They are too focused in achieving their goals in their careers that they don't have the time anymore to achieve their other dreams in life. I guess I fit into this category. On the other hand, the "tired" Becky ends up resigning from her job and pursued her dream and passion to travel the world while she's still young. And amazingly, Jodi Sta. Maria was able to pull off both Becky's with flying colors.

But just like other movies from Star Cinema, the film suffers from it's stale ending. Despite having two different story lines, both endings are just too easy and predictable. Despite that, I still had a great time for most of the part of the movie. Relatable, charming and entertaining, this is one rare feel good movie that actually works. And Jodi Sta. Maria is worth the price of admission alone.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ out of 5
Dear Other Self (2017)
Directed by Veronica Velasco, starring Jodi Sta. Maria, Joseph Marco & Xian Lim

Limited Edition "Lisyun Qng Geografia" DVD Now Available!

After the successful theatrical release of his first full length feature, 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (Winner, 2016 Cinema One Originals Best Film), director Petersen Vargas revisits his first "baby" that catapulted his name and has earned him multiple honors here and abroad. Last week, his award-winning short film Lisyun Qng Geografia (Geography Lessons) was shown back to back with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten during the latter's encore screenings at UP Film Theater, UP Diliman. Here, director Petersen Vargas has announced that he has teamed up with Vincent Aseo for the Limited Edition DVD of his short film, Lisyun Qng Geografia. The special and final DVD release of the short film includes 4 post cards specially designed by Vincent Aseo, a 30-page zine containing Tin and Tric's diary and a DVD containing the Lisyun Qng Geografia and other short films by Petersen Vargas.

They're now taking online orders for the LIMITED EDITION DVD package of Lisyun Qng Geografia. There are ONLY 50 COPIES for this last batch of releases so make sure to get yours while they last. You can order your copy here.

The complete of the LIMITED EDITION DVD of Lisyun Qng Geografia

The beautiful postcards designed by illustrator Vincent Aseo

Director Petersen Vargas and illustrator Vincent Aseo selling copies of the DVD and postcard
 at the encore screening of Lisyun Qng Geografia back to back with 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten
in UP Cine Adarna, UP Diliman last April 29, 2017

Director Petersen Vargas enthusiastically discussing the film
with some audiences after the screening

Me with director Petersen Vargas!

Director Petersen Vargas gave me a poster of Lisyun Qng Geografia as a gift!
Thank you so much, direk!

Lisyun Qng Geografia Movie Review

The saddest love stories are the ones that could have been but never were.

And what could be more sad than people falling in love with their best friend but not getting the same kind of love in return. This is the central theme of Petersen Vargas award-winning 2014 short film Lisyun Qng Geografia, which literally translates to Geography Lessons. The short film is one of Vargas' earliest works, two years ahead of his full length feature debut that catapulted him to fame amongst Filipino film enthusiast which is 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016). But little did most of us knew that the 20-minute short film is the one that paved the way for him to earn a spot in the indie cinema scene here in the country after it earned him the Best Direction award at the 11th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

I've been trying to find a way to watch this short film since last year, after I became an avid fan of director Petersen. Luckily, this year, he revisits his baby for a limited encore screening of Lisyun in UP Diliman, back to back with his 2 Cool, followed by a special edition DVD release of the short film. And I was so lucky to finally get the chance of watching the short film and of course, I have to write my thoughts about it here in my blog. So here is my review of Petersen Vargas' Lisyun Qng Geografia.

The film follows Tib Apostol (Earl Policarpio), who finds an old map made by his estranged best friend from high school, Tric (Ross Pesigan). This triggers him to retrace all the places that are special to him and his friend, remembering how the their friendship fell apart along the way. Writer and director Petersen Vargas once said that this film was inspired by some of his real life experiences. I guess that is the main reason why the story felt so raw and authentic. The dialogues, so real and normal. The characters, flawed but honest. The circumstances that they encounter, very common in real life.

I love the way the story was written, especially how it was narrated. Instead of following the traditional pattern of a narrative, the story goes back and forth from the past to the present, slowly revealing what has happened before and it's consequences now. Because of this, the 20-minute duration of the film was put into good use. I also love how both characters were written. They looked and talked and acted just like how normal teenage boys would. They don't feel so manufactured for the sake of having empathetic characters. Instead, they're written with all honesty, and that what makes them relatable.

Earl Policarpio and Ross Pesigan did a wonderful job in bringing these characters to life. Their acting were really good, and their portrayal of Tib and Tric will tug your hearts out. Both of them complemented one another which adds more punch and pull to the interactions of the two characters. I guess the best example of this is the confrontation scene between the two, which is also my favorite scene in the film. The chemistry of both actors gives more impact to the scene, making it more intense and heartbreaking.

Technically, the film is more than marvelous. It's gorgeous cinematography, mostly composed of bluish toned palette of backgrounds, evokes a sense of calmness, reminiscent of those carefree days when we were still young and we didn't have to worry about bills or work or careers. Chill, that's the word that perfectly describes it's chosen color palette. The film's music also complemented this with it's serene and light soundtrack featuring the songs of Ourselves The Elves.

Although there's a two-year gap between Lisyun Qng Geografia and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, one would still notice the similarities of the two. There's a lot of scenes in 2 Cool that were references to Lisyun which  gives it a feeling that both films share the same universe. Both films tackle themes of homosexuality and self-awakening. But unlike 2 Cool which goes for a much darker territory, Lisyun chooses a much more quiet and subtle path which is grounded in reality.

Sweet, humorous and romantic, yet heart wrenching towards the end, the film is a perfect exploration of relationships between two people who share different feelings for each other. And with it's honest portrayal of love, anyone can definitely relate to the film. Yes, it is painful to watch, but it is also good and beautiful and unforgettable.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ out of 5

Lisyun Qng Geografia (2014)
Starring Earl Policarpio and Ross Pesigan,
Directed by Petersen Vargas
Winner, Best Direction-11th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival